Elder Dr. Shirley Williams Guides Reconciliation Water Walk Along the Shores of Lake Ontario
Trent professor emeritus provides her expertise at Toronto’s inaugural water walk
Elder Dr. Shirley Williams Guides Reconciliation Water Walk Along the Shores of Lake Ontario
Trent professor emeritus provides her expertise at Toronto’s inaugural water walk
Having held the leadership role in the annual water walk in the Kawartha’s for years, it’s no surprise that Shirley Williams, professor emeritus with Trent University’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, was asked not only help organize, but also attend as the Elder for this, the first Great Lakes Water Walk, which took place on September 23 and 24 in Toronto.
“Water is a living entity, it’s sacred, and part of Indigenous ceremony,” Ms. Williams explains. “We, walked with a copper pail filled with water drawn from the lake, and stopped along the way to bless and honour the water. There are four major rivers that flow into Lake Ontario through the City of Toronto. Indigenous Peoples want to raise consciousness as to the true value of water, and we ask the people to notice the water pollution in Lake Ontario. We are also working to have Canadians look at the water differently, it is not a commodity or something to be used and abused, water is sacred. Water is Life, without water, we could not live. Without water, life will not be possible.”
On the hottest days of the year, Dr. Williams led ceremony for the water walk, blessing the water and overseeing the spiritual and guiding the logistical side of the non-denominational walk. The walk was open to all who were interested in honouring the water. She also provided counsel and guidance to the participants and organizers to ensure that everyone who walked and worked together was working in unity for the water.